Alan Shearer is adamant Jonjo Shelvey should have gone to the World Cup - and not just because of the ex-England captain’s Newcastle United bias.

On Wednesday, Gareth Southgate selected a 23-man squad for the tournament - which takes place in Russia from next month - and he included just five recognised midfielders.

Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as Tottenham Hotspur duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier, will play at the World Cup.

Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Manchester United’s Fabian Delph was also included in the squad due to his versatility, given that he can play defensive-midfield or left-back.

Yet Shelvey, who has been in exceptional form for Newcastle in 2018, is not even on the standby list for the tournament - with AFC Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook, Liverpool’s Adam Lallana and West Bromwich Albion’s Jake Livermore preferred instead, despite the latter’s relegation from the Premier League.

Pundits including Shearer, Chris Waddle and Ian Wright have called for Shelvey’s inclusion in recent weeks, but Southgate does not agree with their assessment. The Three Lions boss claims the midfielders he has selected are “better” than those he hasn’t.